Chapter 11—The Sin of Licentiousness
Rescue From Sin and Impurity—When the law of God is writ-
ten in the heart, it will be exhibited in a pure and holy life. The
commandments of God are no dead letter. They are spirit and life,
bringing the imaginations and even the thoughts into subjection to the
will of Christ. The heart in which they are written will be kept with all
diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.
All who love Jesus and keep the commandments will seek to avoid
the very appearance of evil; not because they are constrained thus
to do, but because they are copying a pure model, and feel averse to
everything contrary to the law written in their hearts. They will not
feel self-sufficient, but their trust will be in God, who alone is able to
keep them from sin and impurity. The atmosphere surrounding them
is pure; they will not corrupt their own souls or the souls of others.
It is their pleasure to deal justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly
before God.
Last-day Dangers—The danger that lies before those living in
these last days is the absence of pure religion, the absence of heart
holiness. The converting power of God has not wrought in transform-
ing their characters. They profess to believe sacred truths, as did the
Jewish nation; but in their failing to practice the truth they are ignorant
both of the Scriptures and the power of God. The power and influence
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of God’s law are around about, but not within the soul, renewing it
in true holiness; therefore the Lord sends His appeals to them to urge
upon them the practice of what is right. The appeals of His Spirit are
neglected and rejected. The barriers are broken down, and the soul
is weak, and for want of moral force to overcome, is polluted and
debased. They are binding themselves in bundles as fagots, ready to
be consumed at the last day.
Duties and Obligations of Ministers—The Jewish priests were
required to be, in person, all that was symmetrical and well-
proportioned, that they might reflect a great truth. “Be ye clean that
bear the vessels of the Lord.” The Lord required not only a well-
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